Walter trained as a stonecutter at the Art Development Program for Youth at the Hartford, CT Wadsworth Atheneum. After serving in the U.S. Marines as a welder he retumed to his Irish heritage and Connecticut roots to open a blacksmith shop and work as a city firefighter.

Walter developed his own style while studying with several masters: Francis Whitaker, Manfred Bredohl, and Ivan Bailey. He participated in certificate progams in Architectural Technology atHartford State Tech., and Architectural Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. He began to attract major clients after winning the USS Steel Design Competition in 1985 and exhibiting at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.

Walter has taught at several colleges and technical schools, and is developing several research and development projects. His other interests include old tugboats, open wheel auto racing, wind tunnel, aerodynamic designs and he is the author of two books.

*My job is to create functional artwork, itself a contradiction in terms," Walter says. "To take asteel bar and forge it into an element of beauty excites me. When I can create an architecturalpiece that will reward the casual observer, when they take the time to look at it, gives me a great feeling of pride. This craft, practiced for thousands of years, still amazes those involved and those who admire it. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it all."